Valentine's Day Ideas - Day 4: Layers of Love Chocolate Brownies

This brownie recipe was created with a genuine love for chocolate. It comes from Alma Carey from Florida, who won first place in the Nestle Toll House Share the Very Best Recipe contest in 2000. And they're plump full of layers and layers of chocolatey love. Another thing I like about this recipe: the difficulty level is "Easy". Yes! Just my style. (And thanks to Nestle Toll House's verybestbaking.com for the picture!)

Ingredients

• 3/4 c. flour
• 3/4 c. baking cocoa (I actually prefer Hershey's cocoa or Nestle Toll House baking cocoa)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, cut in pieces
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
• 3 eggs, divided
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 c. chopped pecans
• 3/4 c. white chocolate chips
• 1/2 c. caramel ice cream topping
• 3/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8 square baking pan.
2. Combine flour, cocoa, and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in your KitchenAid or with your electric hand mixer until creamy.
3. Add 2 eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. Add vanilla extract and mix well. Gradually beat in the flour.
4. Take aside 3/4 c. of the batter. Spread the rest of the batter into the greased baking pan. Sprinkle the nuts and white morsels over the batter in the pan. Then drizzle the caramel over the top of that.
5. Beat remaining egg into the batter set aside until the batter is light in color. Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Spread evenly over the caramel layer.
6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the center is set. I baked them for 35 minutes and it was too much. They ended up a little dry. Next time I'll bake them for around 32 minutes. Cool completely and cut into bars.

And here's a cute idea if you need a treat for your visiting teaching or for friends:

This idea comes from Wants and Wishes Design. Individual brownies are wrapped in decorative cellophane then tied with a ribbon. But to insure the brownies stayed pretty they are wrapped in wax paper first. This way the cellophane won't get greasy. Great idea! Thanks, ladies!